, painting everyt

city's wealthy district, Claire searched t

clan had remained close, though his attention o

knew, would be decid

e in hand, she made her way to

arette glowing fain

ed, he flicked ash from his cigarette, his silver watch catching the faint

tivated her the way he did-he wore

rves made he

the night, she wondered

t. Her words came out in a shaky whisper. "Dec

eyes clouded, full of se

egret this one day. You two shared two years together.

d Declan. "Regret? Yo

having save

led himself into the waves to pull Melinda from

ing sorry for her blindness,

then. To him, she seemed like a beac

would take care of him until he saw the

the world's colors, but it was Claire, not Melinda,

l behind. He realized then how foolish he'

s ago, Melinda had the nerve to ask if h

question cut deep

efusing to adm

as ever, soon claimed s

g her way through life and wi

eyes. "I never loved her.

't hold Melinda responsible for what happened to me. Fate just hasn't b

, Declan's heart twisted with e

d always thought of Claire and her mother as his own fami

wo years have brought

warning, Claire collapsed into his embrace, feeling the steady rhythm

encircled his waist. "Declan, I'm cove

t him to the Dawson family's house. The basement was pitch dark, and ther

ght sick

never despise you. You'll have my care,

ire looked away, flustered, b

ght. I can't give you children, but I want to be by your

er as she fumbled with t

Declan complet

te slope of her collarbone, so d

ame haunted

rrender just the night before f

st. The truth was-Melinda's a

asy to resist someone

de reared up, refusin

She earned no sympathy, and breaking her would

ut firmly, he edged Claire away. His voice was steady, brook

by his refusal. Was he on

As far as she was concerned, Melinda

led in. There would al

so uncertain. Would you stay w

od, eyes falling on his watch bef

Claire's lips. He wouldn'